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Speed
EMAILPRINTTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 6 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Action | Suspense/Thriller
Written by: Graham Yost
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 10, 1994
DVD: June 30, 2002
Running Time: 116 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: R for violence and language
Starring Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, Jeff Daniels, Alan Ruck, Glenn Plummer, and Richard Lineback
Keanu Reeves stars as Jack Traven an LAPD SWAT team specialist who is sent to diffuse a bomb that a revenge-driven extortionist (Hopper) has planted on a bus. But until he does, Jack and passenger Sandra Bullock must keep the bus speeding through the streets of Los Angeles at more than 50 miles per hour -- or the bomb will explode. A high-octane chase of suspense, non-stop action and surprise twists, Speed is a joyride sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. (20th Century Fox)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Speed 2: Cruise Control
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
We've seen this done before, but seldom so well, or at such a high pitch of energy.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
The film takes off from formula elements-it's yet another variation on "Die Hard"-but it manipulates those elements so skillfully, with such a canny mixture of delirium and restraint, that I walked out of the picture with the rare sensation that every gaudy thrill had been earned.
Read Full Review >The New Yorker Anthony Lane
The result is clean, delirious, and, yes, speedy—the best big-vehicle-in-peril movie since Clouzot's "The Wages of Fear."
Read Full Review >Time Richard Schickel
The movie has two virtues essential to good pop thrillers. First, it plugs uncomplicatedly into lurking anxieties -- in this case the ones we brush aside when we daily surrender ourselves to mass transit in a world where the loonies are everywhere. Second, it is executed with panache and utter conviction.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
De Bont and his team have turned in a visually sophisticated piece of mayhem that makes the implausible plausible and keeps the thrills coming. [10Jun1994 Pg. F1]
TV Guide Staff(not credited)
Acclaimed cinematographer Jan De Bont's directing debut is a mindless, implausible, and thoroughly gripping adventure movie.
Read Full Review >ReelViews James Berardinelli
It's an ingenious premise that first-time director Jan De Bont has turned into a tremendously well-executed motion picture.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone Peter Travers
If you're looking for action movie heaven, try Speed, a crackling blend of suspense and fun that gives you the rush of a runaway roller coaster.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Elvis Mitchell
This film's dialogue isn't much more literate than a bus schedule, but its plotting is smart and breathless enough to make up for that.
Read Full Review >Empire Philip Thomas
There are very few action movies that cut to the chase quite as quickly as Speed and then have the stamina to keep it up for nearly two hours.
Read Full Review >Variety Todd McCarthy
First-time helmer Jan De Bont, the ace lenser of most of Paul Verhoeven's films as well as "Die Hard" and numerous other large-scale pix, handles the action with great nimbleness and dexterity; film can hardly be faulted for its visual presentation of very complex action.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen
De Bont knows how to edit a pulse-pounding sequence, he knows how to keep the screen white-hot, and he sure knows how to blow things up real good. What he doesn't know is how to slow down - this premise is perfect for him.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
The deft arabesques of cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak juice up the suspense, and if you're not too put off by the sheer ridiculousness of the story you won't be bored.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
In a film like this, timing is everything, and everyone from the stunt coordinators to the crew-at-large seems to have gotten it right the first time.
Read Full Review >USA Today Mike Clark
Crisp craftsmanship has fashioned a great day at the movies from the worst day of Ralph Kramden's life. [10 Jun 1994 Pg. 01.D]
Washington Post Hal Hinson
Undeniably, the picture now and again supplies that edge-of-the-seat sensation; yet, by action-adventure standards, Speed is leaden and strangely poky. It never seems to shift into overdrive and let fly.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
The plot becomes so overextended, as Reeves and Hopper wage their endless public transportation battle, even the hardest Die-Harders will consider leaping off way before the final stop.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
James H gave it an8:
Great film, love watching it. Just a well made movie.
[anonymous] gave it an8:
This movie gets down to business right away. After the first disarnament, it's a non-stop battle to keep the bus at speed, and the thrills never stop until Dennis Hopper finally bites the dust.
Tony R. gave it a10:
the best of the "speed" movies. Sandra Bullock was hot and so was Keanu Reeves' acting.
